If you’re applying for a fellowship in the United States, you’ll most likely be using the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). As part of the application process, you’ll need to upload your USMLE transcript to the ERAS system. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of obtaining your USMLE transcript and uploading it to the ERAS Fellowship application portal.

What is the ERAS Fellowship?

The ERAS Fellowship is a program offered by the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) that provides a centralized application process for residency and fellowship programs across the United States. It streamlines the application process by allowing applicants to upload all their required documents, such as their personal and biographic information, curriculum vitae, and letters of recommendation, in one place.

To apply for the ERAS Fellowship, applicants must use the MyERAS application portal and submit a number of required documents. These documents include personal and biographic information, a curriculum vitae that outlines their education, experience, licensure, and publications, a personal statement that highlights their career goals and objectives, and a letter(s) of recommendation from faculty members or medical professionals who have worked closely with them.

Applicants must also submit their USMLE transcript and/or COMLEX-USA transcript, which contain their scores from the United States Medical Licensing Examination and the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination, respectively. Additionally, they must provide their Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), which is a letter outlining their academic performance during medical school, as well as their medical school transcript.

Why is Uploading USMLE Transcript Important?

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. Fellowship programs typically require applicants to submit their USMLE transcripts as part of the application process. This helps the program evaluate the applicant’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in relevant medical subjects. Learn more about the USMLE exam, format, application process, cost etc. 

Step 1: Obtain Your USMLE Transcript

The USMLE transcript is a crucial document required for ERAS Fellowship applications. Obtaining the transcript is an important step in ensuring that your application is complete and accurate. In this section, we will guide you through the process of obtaining your USMLE transcript and providing it for submission through MyERAS.

How to Request an Official USMLE Transcript

To request an official USMLE transcript, you’ll need to create an account on the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) website. Once you’ve created your account, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your account on the NBME website.
2. Click on the “Request a Transcript” link.
3. Select the exams you want to include in your transcript.
4. Choose the delivery method (electronic or paper).
5. Pay the transcript fee.
6. Submit your request.

The NBME will then process your request and send your official transcript to the recipient you specified.

How to Request a COMLEX-USA Transcript

If you’ve taken the COMLEX-USA exams instead of the USMLE exams, you’ll need to request an official transcript from the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME). Here’s how:

1. Log in to your account on the NBOME website.
2. Click on the “Transcripts” tab.
3. Select the exams you want to include in your transcript.
4. Choose the delivery method (electronic or paper).
5. Pay the transcript fee.
6. Submit your request.

The NBOME will then process your request and send your official transcript to the recipient you specified.

How to Request an ECFMG Status Report

If you’re an international medical graduate, you’ll need to request an ECFMG status report instead of a USMLE transcript. This report will show your ECFMG certification status and any USMLE scores you’ve received. Here’s how to request an ECFMG status report:

1. Log in to your account on the ECFMG website.
2. Click on the “Certification” tab.
3. Click on the “Status Report” link.
4. Choose the delivery method (electronic or paper).
5. Pay the status report fee.
6. Submit your request.

The ECFMG will then process your request and send your status report to the recipient you specified.

Step 2: Upload Your Documents on ERAS Fellowship Application Portal

Uploading your documents to the ERAS Fellowship Application Portal is a crucial step in the application process. In order to successfully apply for a fellowship, you must submit all required application materials including your USMLE transcript. Here are the steps to follow to upload your documents on ERAS.

Accessing the MyERAS Application Portal

If you are planning to apply for a residency program in USA, accessing the MyERAS Application Portal is an important step in the application process. However, before you can access this portal, you need to register with the ERAS Fellowship Documents Office (EFDO) which typically opens around mid-June.

1. Log in to your MyERAS account and click on the “Applications” tab in the top navigation bar.
2. Click on “Upload Documents” to access the ERAS Fellowship Application Portal.
3. You will be taken to a new page where you can upload all required documents for your application, including your USMLE transcript and other relevant materials.

Uploading Your USMLE Transcript

1. Select the “Transcripts” category from the left-hand menu and click “USMLE Transcripts” option.
2. You will then be prompted to enter your USMLE/COMLEX ID and authorize release of your score report by signing an electronic signature form (E-signature).
3. Once you have entered this information, click “Submit” to send your request to ECFMG or FSMB (depending on which board issued your USMLE transcript).
4. The cost of sending your transcript is $50 USD, which must be paid for online via credit card or check before submitting your request.
5. Once you have submitted the request, it may take up to five business days for ECFMG/FSMB to process it and send it back to ERAS Fellowship Application Portal for final review and submission with the rest of your application materials.

Submitting Additional Documents with Your Application

After submitting the required materials for your ERAS Fellowship application, consider sharing articles, research projects, or publications to boost your application. Log in to MyERAS, go to the “Documents” tab, select “Upload,” and choose the appropriate category for your document. Review document specifications and instructions for a successful upload. 

Submitting more documents to your ERAS Fellowship application can help show off your skills and qualifications to program directors. Don’t miss this chance to make your application stand out.

Maximum File Size of Each Document Uploaded

The ERAS Fellowship Application Portal has different maximum file size requirements for each document that needs to be uploaded. These requirements are outlined on the Upload page for each specific document in OASIS. It is important to note that programs may have different requirements for file size, so it is crucial to carefully review the instructions and notices for each document type.

For some documents such as the personal statement and letters of recommendation, the maximum file size is 2MB. This means that the file should not exceed this limit to ensure a successful upload. On the other hand, the CV may have a maximum file size of 5 MB.

How to Submit a Single PDF File with All Required Documents

Submitting all required documents for your ERAS Fellowship Application can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. One effective way to simplify the process is by submitting all required documents as a single PDF file. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

1. Gather all necessary documents and scan them into one file: Begin by collecting all the necessary documents like personal statements, medical school transcripts, USMLE scores, letters of recommendation, and others. After scanning each document, combine them into one single PDF file, making it easier to upload the entire package.
2. Ensure proper naming of the file: Naming the file should allow you to easily recognize it. A recommended format is “ERAS Fellowship Application_YourName_ApplicationType.”
3. Log in and access the ERAS Fellowship Application Portal: To upload the compiled document file, log in to the portal and access the required document upload category.
4. Read instructions and notices carefully: Before uploading, ensure that you read and follow the specific instructions and notices for each document category. This ensures that you adhere to any unique technical specifications that could make uploading easier and faster.
5. Browse and upload the complete document as one file: After selecting the document type category, click the browse button to select the document file from your computer or mobile device. Uploading the complete document in one file will save you time and ensure that everything is submitted together.
6. Repeat the upload process for each document type: Go through the same process for each document type until all documents are uploaded.
7. Follow technical specifications for each document: Ensure that you follow the technical specifications for each document type. For instance, for documents such as a personal statement and a letter of recommendation, the maximum file size is 2MB, while a CV is 5 MB.

By uploading all required documents as one single PDF file, you simplify the application process and reduce the chances of errors, delays, or even rejection of your application. Remember to follow these instructions carefully to ensure a smooth process.

Step 3: Create and Submit Your Additional Letters of Recommendation (LOR)

As part of the ERAS fellowship application process, additional letters of recommendation can significantly enhance your application and support your candidacy. However, it’s essential to follow the proper steps to create and submit these letters to ensure that they are received promptly and appropriately viewed by program directors. Here’s a guide on how to create and submit your additional LORs.

Accessing the MyERAS Letter of Recommendation Portal

If you’re preparing to apply for a fellowship through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), you’ll want to make sure you have all of your necessary documents in order. One important part of the application process is securing letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to your skills and abilities.

To streamline the letter of recommendation process, ERAS offers the MyERAS Letter of Recommendation Portal. This online tool allows you to request letters of recommendation from your chosen writers and then allows those writers to upload letters directly to your MyERAS account. Here’s how to access the portal:

1. Log in to your MyERAS account.
2. Navigate to the Letter of Recommendation section. Here, you will be prompted to enter information about your letter writers, including their names and contact information. You will also be asked whether or not you waive your right to view the letters they submit.
3. Once you have entered this information, you will be given a unique Letter ID and Letter Request Form. This form will include instructions for your letter writers on how to upload their letters to your MyERAS account.
4. Send the Letter Request Form to your letter writers. They will be able to upload their letters directly to your MyERAS account using the information provided.

By using the MyERAS Letter of Recommendation Portal, you can simplify the letter of recommendation process and ensure that your application is submitted on time with all necessary materials included. And by waiving your right to view the letters (which is optional), you may increase the likelihood that your writers will submit honest and candid assessments of your abilities.

Which LORs Should Be Solicited?

When filling out your ERAS Fellowship application, it is important to obtain Letters of Recommendation (LORs) that will strengthen your application and provide insight into your abilities as a candidate. The ERAS Fellowship application allows applicants to solicit several types of LORs, each of which will be assessed differently by program directors.

One of the most important types of LORs for ERAS Fellowship applications is the eSLOE, or Emergency Medicine Standardized Letter of Evaluation. These letters are completed by academic EM faculty members and carry significant weight in the application process. Programs will likely be looking for at least two eSLOEs, and securing these should be your top priority.

In addition to the e-SLOEs, it is recommended that applicants also submit at least one more LOR, but no more than four total, to programs’ ERAS applications. Along with academic EM faculty, you can also solicit SLOEs from non-academic EM faculty members or those in EM subspecialty rotations. These letters can still provide valuable insight into your abilities and work ethic.

Off-Service Standardized Letters of Evaluation, or O-SLOEs, are also available for applicants to solicit from non-EM faculty members. While not specific to emergency medicine, these letters can still provide valuable insight into your clinical abilities and work ethic.

How Many Letters Should You Submit?

When applying for an ERAS Fellowship Application, it is essential to submit the appropriate number of letters of recommendation (LoRs) to make your application competitive. ERAS allows up to four LoRs to be assigned to each program, but it is recommended that a minimum of three letters be submitted.

It is crucial to note that once four LoRs have been assigned to a program, they cannot be removed or added, so you need to make sure you have chosen the right letters before submission.